imitate, but cannot attain to the high level
of the life of these heavenly citizens. Nevertheless, so far as is
possible for our weakness and feeble power, we take the stamp of their
lives, and wear their habit: even though we fail to equal their works;
for we are assured that this holy profession is a means to perfection
and an aid to the incorruption given us by holy baptism. So, following
the teachings of these blessed Saints, we utterly renounce these
corruptible and perishable things of life, wherein may be found nothing
stable or constant, or that continueth in one stay; but all things are
vanity and vexation of spirit, and many are the changes that they bring
in a moment; for they are slighter than dreams and a shadow, or the
breeze that bloweth the air. Small and short-lived is their charm,
that is after all no charm, but illusion and deception of the
wickedness of the world; which world we have been taught to love not at
all, but rather to hate with all our heart. Yea, and verily it is
worthy of hatred and abhorrence; for whatsoever gifts it giveth to its
friends, these in turn in passion it taketh away, and shall hand over
its victims, stripped of all good things, clad in the garment of shame,
and bound under heavy burdens, to eternal tribulation. And those again
whom it exalteth, it quickly abaseth to the utmost wretchedness, making
them a foot-stool and a laughing stock for their enemies. Such are its
charms, such its bounties. For it is an enemy of its friends, and
traitor to such as carry out its wishes: dasheth to dire destruction
all them that lean upon it, and enervateth those that put their trust
therein. It maketh covenants with fools and fair false promises, only
that it may allure them to itself. But, as they have dealt
treacherously, it proveth itself treacherous and false in fulfilling
none of its pledges. To-day it tickleth their gullet with pleasant
dainties; to-morrow it maketh them nought but a gobbet for their
enemies. To-day it maketh a man a king: to-morrow it delivereth him
into bitter servitude. To-day its thrall is fattening on a thousand
good things; to-morrow he is a beggar, and drudge of drudges. To-day
it placeth on his head a crown of glory; to-morrow it dasheth his face
upon the ground. To-day it adorneth his neck with brilliant badges of
dignity; to-morrow it humbleth him with a collar of iron. For a little
while it causeth him to be the desire of all men; but after a ti